Factors determining retirement decisions of construction workers in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
De-Graft Owusu-Manu ◽  
Frank Ato Ato Ghansah ◽  
Ewald Kuoribo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Major Determinant ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Good Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Retirement Decision ◽  
Financial Condition

Purpose Efficient decision-making must be reinvigorated to make a good decision towards retirement by construction workers. In developing countries such as Ghana, researchers conducted investigations into the effects of investing in retirement decision-making and planning, but none has considered to examine and identify the factors/determinants influencing efficient decision-making by construction workers towards retirement. This study aims to examine and identify the determinants/factors that affect the retirement decision-making of construction workers in developing countries such as Ghana. Design/methodology/approach This study used primary data collected from workers of four construction companies in Ghana. The sampling technique adopted for the study was a purposive sample approach, with a survey questionnaire as a collection instrument. Means score was adopted to reveal the major determinant/factor prioritized by the respondents while binary logistic regression was used to examine and identify the effect of the retirement determinants on the retirement decision of construction workers. Findings The findings established the main significant determinants impacting retirement decision, namely, “financial condition,” “homeownership,” “age” and “family issues.” Among the determinants, “financial condition” was revealed as the major determinant of retirement decision-making in the construction industry of developing countries, which is an economic condition by which the workers can easily secure credit. Practical implications Practically, the outcome of this study serves as a base for policymakers and practitioners in making decisions concerning the retirement of workers, especially construction workers. This study also serves to provide lesson for other classifications of workers aside from the construction workers in Ghana and other developing countries. Originality/value This study contributes to knowledge by filling in the lacuna in research by examining and identifying the determinants/factors that impact the efficient decision-making by construction workers in developing countries towards retirement.

People-centred management for improving construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-368
Author(s):  
Tirivavi Moyo ◽  
Gerrit Crafford ◽  
Fidelis Emuze
Keyword(s):  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
The People ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Concern ◽  
The Impact

PurposeWhile operational factors reduce construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe, the impact of the people-centred management aspects has not been empirically interrogated as a remedy. This article reports on a study that sought to determine significant people-centred management aspects that lead to improved labour productivity and assesses the existence of statistically significant differences due to the demographic variables of respondents. Demographic-specific strategies that enhance construction “workers” productivity were revealed.Design/methodology/approachThe survey research design using a self-administered questionnaire was deployed to collect the primary data. The design followed a positivist paradigm to evaluate objectively how people-centred management affects construction workers' productivity. The statistical data were descriptively and inferentially analysed.FindingsPeople-centred management was determined to be significant in improving construction workers' productivity, with the most significant aspect being the building of employee confidence in related approaches. Designations and educational levels mostly indicated a statistically significant difference in several aspects that included the adoption of a functional reward culture for workers and training on people-centred principles. Training on-site management and construction workers in people-centred management and its application are crucial to improving construction workers' productivity.Research limitations/implicationsConstruction companies should drastically improve their concern for people while they sustain a high concern for production within their construction sites. Although several factors affect construction workers' productivity, this study determined that management-related factors and people-centred management were significant towards influencing low productivity in Zimbabwe.Originality/valueThe study determined people-centred management and demographic-specific interventions as being able to improve construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe.

Service quality of property managers of shopping complexes in Ibadan, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Oluseun Ojekalu ◽  
Olatoye Ojo ◽  
Timothy Tunde Oladokun ◽  
Sumoila Aremu Olabisi ◽  
Sunday Samuel Omoniyi
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Stepwise Multiple Regression ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Axes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the service quality (SQ) of property managers of shopping complexes in Ibadan with a view to improving management practice.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were used for the study through questionnaire administration. Ibadan was stratified into five axes using existing major roads where shopping complexes were highly concentrated. From each axis, 33, 65, 48, 64 and 66 shopping complexes were identified (Oyo State Ministry of Land, Housing and Survey, 2017), and the systematic sampling technique (20 percent) was adopted to select 57 out of 276 shopping complexes and 192 (10 percent) out of 1919 occupiers of the shopping complexes in the study area. In total, 157 occupiers responded to the questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using mean ranking and stepwise multiple regression.FindingsThis study found that professionalism, tangible, assurance and empathy dimensions of SQ were rated fair, whereas reliability and responsiveness dimensions were rated poor. Also, stepwise multiple regression analysis predicted 78.5 percent overall SQ of property managers, and assurance, professionalism and empathy dimensions contributed significantly to the overall SQ. Hence, reliability and responsiveness dimensions of SQ need to be improved. It is expected that the findings of this study will help property managers to understand the role of various dimensions of SQ for enhanced property management practice.Originality/valueThe study is one of the few studies that assessed the SQ of property managers of shopping complex with a view to improving its management practice.

scholarly journals A Model Proposed for the Prediction of Future Sustainable Residence Specifications Using Analytical Network Process

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Ayman M. Zakaria Eraqi ◽  
Walid Abdul-Hady Shoura
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Good Decision ◽  
Analytical Network Process ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Decision Structure ◽  
Occupant Satisfaction

In Egypt, people are unable to determine the qualities of appropriate residence that achieves quality and occupant satisfaction, and contributes to sustainability of residential conglomerations. In general, developing countries lack housing information which can be used to enhance quality of residence. Also, the methods of assessing and identifying the appropriate criteria for future residence quality remain traditional ones that cannot address the multiple, conflicting, overlapping aspects to reach a good decision. This calls for using the Analytical Network Process  (ANP), an effective tool for specifying the relative importance of all factors impacting a specific issue for making an appropriate residential decision. In addition, this method provides results for the decision element impacts network within the decision structure; thus contributing to more understanding of the mechanisms and requirements of residence selection. The proposed decision structure comprises a two-level network: main clusters, main elements, and sub-elements included in the demographic characteristics group, the residence criteria group, the demand parameters group, the supply parameters group, the residence specifications group, and the alternatives group which representing, in total, the decision and specifying the percentage needed for each housing level. Results of the model showed complete capacity in smoothly addressing complexities and overlapping in the decision structure. The decision structure showed that 52% chose luxury residence, 28% chose middle-class residence, and 19.5% chose the economic residence. Mechanisms of decision making were analyzed; particularly in terms of relationship to demographic characteristics and residence specifications. Also, the importance and impact of demand / supply parameters in reaching decision were analyzed.

E-government and transformation of service delivery in developing countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noore Alam Siddiquee
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Intimate Knowledge ◽  
Secondary Information ◽  
High Level

Purpose Since 2009, e-government has been high on governmental agenda in Bangladesh. Seen as a vehicle for improving governance and service delivery, it is also presented as a key to fighting poverty and achieving the millennium development goals. Thus, the goals of e-government remain broad and ambitious. Can a developing country such as Bangladesh realize its e-government vision? The purpose of this paper is to explore this and other related questions seeking to draw lessons that the Bangladesh experience may offer. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws primarily on secondary information, complemented by primary data gathered from various sources. In addition to an extensive review of secondary sources, necessary information was derived from websites of relevant government departments/agencies and through interviews and conversations with selected government officials having intimate knowledge on e-government projects at the field and local levels. Findings The paper demonstrates the ways in which various e-initiatives have transformed traditional administrative systems and practices, notwithstanding the nation’s limited overall e-development. It also shows how e-innovations have helped tackle some complex challenges, thereby adding to convenience and benefits to service users. A major conclusion of the paper is that although e-government is yet to make a breakthrough in governance and service delivery, it has set the wheels of change in motion. Practical implications E-government must be seen as a long term project, it must attract high-level political support and it requires fruitful collaboration between the public, private and non-governmental actors. Originality/value This paper adds to the limited knowledge in the field. Lessons learned from the Bangladesh experience have much relevance to other developing countries with similar socioeconomic circumstances. The policymakers and practitioners are expected to benefit from the insights of the paper.

CEO social capital and asset sell-offs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Danso ◽  
Margarita Kaprielyan ◽  
Md Miran Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Information Asymmetry ◽  
Abnormal Returns ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
Market Model ◽  
Good Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Announcement Returns

PurposeRecent studies explore how chief executive officer (CEO) social capital affects corporate decision-making. Well-connected CEOs can have greater access to information, which can lead to better corporate decisions or permit them to amass power from hierarchy status and make self-serving decisions. This study examines whether investors perceive CEO social capital as a signal of good decision-making (assuming information asymmetry) surrounding asset sell-off events.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use multivariate regression analysis to examine the effect of CEO social capital on the cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) of the asset buyers and sellers. CARs are estimated using a market model in the period proximate to asset sell-off announcements.FindingsThe authors find that CEO social capital is positively associated with announcement returns of the asset sellers. Moreover, the positive effect of CEO social capital on announcement returns is more pronounced for sellers facing greater information asymmetry. An analysis of post-announcement stock performance reveals that the seller CEO social capital is associated with additional value generated for the shareholders of the seller after a month from the announcement date, especially if the transaction price is disclosed. Overall, findings are consistent with the argument that CEO social capital provides value in high information asymmetry environment.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge this is the first study to examine the effect of CEO social capital on the shareholders' wealth created by divestitures.

Decision-making system for higher education university selection: comparison of priorities pre- and post-COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnadas Nanath ◽  
Ali Sajjad ◽  
Supriya Kaitheri
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Selection ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

PurposeUniversity selection in higher education is a complex task for aspirants from a decision-making perspective. This study first aims to understand the essential parameters that affect potential students' choice of higher education institutions. It then aims to explore how these parameters or priorities have changed given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning about the differences in priorities for university selection pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic might help higher education institutions focus on relevant parameters in the post-pandemic era.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a mixed-method approach, with primary and secondary data (university parameters from the website and LinkedIn Insights). We developed a university selector system by scraping LinkedIn education data of various universities and their alumni records. The final decision-making tool was hosted on the web to collect potential students' responses (primary data). Response data were analyzed via a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model. Portal-based data collection was conducted twice to understand the differences in university selection priorities pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. A one-way MANOVA was performed to find the differences in priorities related to the university decision-making process pre- and post-COVID-19.FindingsThis study considered eight parameters of the university selection process. MANOVA demonstrated a significant change in decision-making priorities of potential students between the pre- and post-COVID-19 phases. Four out of eight parameters showed significant differences in ranking and priority. Respondents made significant changes in their selection criteria on four parameters: cost (went high), ranking (went low), presence of e-learning mode (went high) and student life (went low).Originality/valueThe current COVID-19 pandemic poses many uncertainties for educational institutions in terms of mode of delivery, student experience, campus life and others. The study sheds light on the differences in priorities resulting from the pandemic. It attempts to show how social priorities change over time and influence the choices students make.

Neuroeconomics as a Factor in the Decision-Making of Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 87-100
Author(s):  
Jovanna Nathalie Cervantes-Guzmán
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Economic Theory ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Good Decision ◽  
Behavioral Bias ◽  
Decision Making Models

Neuroeconomics will help solve questions that constitute a good decision, the factors that influence decisions, and how they are made. The study will expose from the experts' opinion the tangible and intangible factors that influence decisions from the perspective of the neuroeconomics. A modified Dephi method that integrates neuroeconomics is used. Neuroeconomics has the potential to explain phenomena that are considered a deviation from the prediction or behavioral bias of decision-making models in economic theory. The study exposes the opinions that have a greater degree of relevance from the experts.

Constrained purchase decision-making process at the base of the pyramid

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanda Choudhury ◽  
Srabanti Mukherjee ◽  
Biplab Datta
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Consumer Decision Making ◽  
Base Of The Pyramid ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Consumer Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Vulnerability

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors affecting decision-making at the BoP and propose a framework of the consumer decision-making process at the base of the pyramid (BoP). Design/methodology/approach The qualitative research design was adopted to collect primary data. Data collected through the in-depth semi-structured interviews of the 48 BoP consumers in Kolkata and Kharagpur (India) were subjected to grounded theory analysis for theory development. Findings This study reveals that consumer vulnerability affects the decision-making process and the transaction cost at BoP level. It was observed that the consumers at the BoP make constrained choices due to their vulnerability and try to minimise transaction cost while selecting the retails. The constrained retail choice leads to a limited selection of products and brands. Originality/value This study, for the first time, has investigated the decision-making process for BoP consumers in detail. As a pioneering attempt, it sheds light on some new factors including consumer vulnerability and transaction cost that have an impact on the consumer decision-making process.

scholarly journals An assessment of gender differences in the operational efficiency of businesses run by persons with disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-59
Author(s):  
Madan Mohan G. ◽  
Anushree Baruah
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Disabled Persons ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Disabled

Purpose Progress accomplished by the disabled entrepreneurs on the fronts of profits, turnover, return on investment (ROI), employees engaged, capital employed and diversification shall be studied and prevalence of gender differences in such progress shall be assessed. Design/methodology/approach The proposed research is descriptive in nature, based on primary data, collected by personally administering a well-structured interview schedule to 201 disabled entrepreneurs in Puducherry selected using a snowball sampling technique. Data collected has been analyzed using SPSS 21, using the tools of mean, one-way ANOVA, factorial ANOVA and chi-square (χ2) analysis. Findings The prevalence rate of entrepreneurship among female disabled is very low. Female disabled entrepreneurs manage higher turnover than their male counterparts and manage insignificantly higher progress in terms of capital employed, while male disabled entrepreneurs have managed insignificantly higher progress in terms of profits, diversification and ROI. Illiterate disabled, both men and women, struggle to manage decent turnover while the better educated manage better turnover. Research limitations/implications This paper has highlighted the low prevalence rate of entrepreneurship among women disabled though the fewer women disabled entrepreneurs are performing better than their male counterparts in operating their business. Originality/value The findings of this paper may be taken as base for formulation of effective government policies in empowering disabled persons in general and women disabled in particular.

Multi objective optimization for humanitarian logistics operations through the use of mobile technologies

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Serrato-Garcia ◽  
Jaime Mora-Vargas ◽  
Roman Tomas Murillo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information System ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Multiobjective Optimization ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Optimization Model ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Social Costs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Deprivation Costs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the development and implementation of a multiobjective optimization model and information system based on mobile technology, to support decision making in humanitarian logistics operations. Design/methodology/approach The trade-off between economic and social (deprivation) costs faced by governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) involved in humanitarian logistics operations is modeled through a Pareto frontier analysis, which is obtained from a multiobjective optimization model. Such analysis is supported on an information system based on mobile technology. Findings Results show useful managerial insights for decision-makers by considering both economic and social costs associated to humanitarian logistics operations. Such insights include the importance of timely and accurate information shared through mobile technology. Research limitations/implications This research presents a multiobjective approach that considers social costs, which are modeled through deprivation functions. The authors suggest that a future nonlinear approach be also considered, since there will be instances where the deprivation cost is a nonlinear function throughout time. Also, the model and information system developed may not be suitable for other humanitarian aid instances, considering the specific characteristics of the events considered on this research. Practical implications The inclusion of several types of goods, vehicles, collecting points off the ground, distributions points on the ground, available roads after a disaster took place, as well as volume and weight constraints faced under these scenarios, are considered. Social implications Deprivation costs faced by affected population after a disaster took place are considered, which supports decision making in governmental and NGOs involved in humanitarian logistics operations toward welfare of such affected population in developing countries. Originality/value A numerical illustration in the Latin American context is presented, the model and information system developed can be used in other developing countries or regions that face similar challenges toward humanitarian logistics operations.

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